Domestic appliance



May 26, 1953 c. F. ABRESCH DOMESTIC APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-heet 1 Filed Nov.' 8, 1949 y 6, 1953 v c. F. AB'RESCH 2,639,600

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Nov. 8, 1949 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES FATENT creme oar-e1 F, s ilt sgifigj fg to"- Gem eral Motors Corporation, Dayton, aeration ornelaware Ohio, a cor-- Application November 8, 1949,- Serial No 126,159

r. This invention relates to domestic appliances more per cularly to washin machines". I

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application N; 118,316 filed September 28,- 1949, issued February 26, 1952 as Patent No. 2,587,080.

An object of this invention is to provide a pumping system connected to a washing machine which system is capable of introducing. water from the water supply system into the washing machine and is capable of removing water and/or air from thewashing machine inorder to wring the clothes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine with a pumping system capable of introducing water for washing and rinsing purposes. and of withdrawing air and Water from said washing machine and to produce a vacuum therein for wringing purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a washing machine with: a pumping system capable of receiving water from a water supply andot introducing it into the washing machine without danger of allowing the water to flow back into the water supply system.

Reference is made to the following applications owned by the same assigneez- N. 16,"l90 filed March 24, 11948, Carel Abresch, applicant; N..34,038 file-d June 19, 1'948, Carel Abresch applicant; S. H. E226 filed March 2, 1949', Carel- 1?. Abresch, applicant.

Further objects and advantages of the present inventionwil-l be apparent from the following-description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form or the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawin s:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross section, somewhat diagrammatic, of 9, Washing machine embodying features of my invention.

Figure 2 is a view'similar to Figure 1, but showing a modification.

Figure" 3 is a horizontal cross section taken along theline of 3 -3 of Figure' Zi Figure 4 a verti'cai cross sectional View of a vacuum breaker, which may be applied to either of the modifications shown in Figures 1' and 2.

My invention embodies a washing machinehaving a washing enclosure I0, which isto be filled with and emptiedcf water and air. This enclosure is connected to a pumping system H which is capable of introducing water into the enclosure it from the water supply controlled by valve I 2. The pumping: system H also iscapable of emptying the water from the enclosure II], to-

gather with any an s" entthersin, and of direct it through the are hose I3. I

The pumping system ii is so connected to the water supply valve i2, that no water can back up into the water supply, should a tem orary vacuum be produced in the sup ly. Preferably this is accomplished by providing an air Hi between the valve [2' and the umping system H, which prevents any backward now of water into the valve I 2.

i his invention may be used with many types oi'washi'ng. machines. Merely by way of example,

the washing machine disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 34,038, filed June 19; 1948', may be used. Briefly stated, this washing machine includes a rotatable sphere-like member surrounding enclosure it, and rotating about the bearings l6 and ['l. This spherical member includes 'a substantially imperforate semi-sphere i5, and a perforate semi-sphere it A flexible bag it is placed in the enclosure Iii in such a manner that it may extend into the semi-sphere it during wringing operations, and into the semi-sphere l3 during the washin operations.

Clothes are introduced into the enclosure [9 through a swinging cover it hingedat El and latched at 22 and if desired, also through a cover it inthe outer casing 24'.

Water and/or air are introduced into the enclosure it through an opening 253', which is connected to the space 26 formed by a perforated false bottom 2i". A radial' baffle 28' is provided to agitate the clothes, as the washing machine rohates. An air discharge opening 29 is provided with a spring pressed check valve it, which allows air to leave the enclosure It during the filling operation; but prevents entrance ofair into the enclosure when a vacuum is imposed thereon.

The washin machine illustrated is rotated at about 46 after water, detergent and clothes'have been introduced intothe enclosure Iii. This tumbles the clothes in the water and Washes them. Thereafter, a suction action is produced. on the opening 25 which removes Water from the enclosure while the opening. passes its lower positions, as indicated. by the dotted line 25". It also removes air from the enclosure during and af-ter the Water has been removed and eventually a sufiicient vacuum is created in the enclosure lilto cause the bag It to be pressedintothe semi-sphere [5 by the atmospheric air entering the perforaticns 3% in the semi-sphere l8. This wrings the clothes. They may be thereafter removed from the enclosure, or else subjected to a rinsing action.

The pumping system II comprises a jet pump 3| having a low pressure jet pump chamber 32 connected to the enclosure l through the medium of pipes 33, 34, 35 and 36. If desired, a receiver 31 may also be included in the connection, which would prevent any small amount of water remaining in the system from entering into the enclosure I0 after the water had been removed therefrom, and when the vacuum was being broken.

The jet pump 3| is connected to a drainage separator 38 through the medium of the pipe 39 discharging tangentially into the separator 38. The separator 38 is connected with a mechanical pump 40 by pipe 4|, also tangentially connected to the separator 38. Preferably the mechanical pump 40 is a centrifugal pump having an inlet 42. The pumping system II is constructed to recirculate a pumping fluid (water) continuously from the pump 40 through the jet pump 3I to the separator 38 and then back into the pump 40. Any excess water and air is adapted to be separated at 38 and to be discharged through the axially connected pipe I3 to the atmosphere and to the drain.

To introduce liquid from the water supply valve I2 to the enclosure ID, a well 43 is placed below the valve I2 with the gap I4 being effective to prevent backward flow of water into the valve I2. The well 43 is connected by a pipe 44 with the inlet 42 of the pump 40. A valve 45, which may be a throttling valve, if desired, is placed in the pipe 39, and is adapted to be closed when the water supply valve I2 is open, thus causing the pump40 to introduce the water into the enclosure I0 as indicated by the full line arrows. When it is desired to empty the water from the enclosure I0, together with air, the valve 45 is opened, thus causing the jet pump 3| to remove the water and air, as indicated by the dotted line arrows 46. The dotted line arrows also indicate the recirculating fluid or water which is continuously recirculated through the jet pump 3|, separator 38 and centrifugal pump 40. A check valve 41 is placed in the pipe 44 to prevent backward flow of water into the well 43.

The washing machine is adapted to be automatically controlled. For this purpose an electric motor 48 is connected by transmissions 49 and 50 with the washing machine and the pump 40 respectively and is adapted to rotate them at the proper speeds. The water supply valve I2 may include hot and cold water pipes 5| and 52, which are controlled by a thermostatic mixing valve which is solenoid operated and is well known in the art, and which discharges through the faucet 53. Preferably-the valve I2 is of the type which directs a constant volume of water regardless of the varying pressures in the pipes 5| and 52, this type of valve being well known at present. operated by the solenoid 54. A timer 55, controlled by the handle 56, is adapted to send electrical power to the solenoids and to the motor 48 in such a manner as first to fill the enclosure II! with water to the desired level from the supply valve I2 by opening the valve I2 for the correct period of time. Thereafter the timer interrupts the supply of water but continues the rotation of the enclosure ID to wash the clothes. The filling operation and the washing operation are accomplished by having the timer maintain the valve 45 closed or in throttling position, which causes the water from supply I2 to be introduced into the casing I0 and prevents any The valve 45 also may be solenoid suction action in the opening 25 during the washing operation. Thereafter the valve 45 is opened by the timer 55, which produces a suction action at 25, to remove the Water and air from the enclosure I0 and to wring the clothes. Thereafter this sequence of operations may be repeated one or more times in order to rinse the clothes.

In order to break the vacuum in the enclosure I I! after a wringing operation, a vacuum breaker, as shown in Figure 4, may be added to the pipe 33 or at any other desired point. This vacuum breaker includes an inwardly directed check valve 60 and a solenoid valve 6| connected by pipe 62 with the pipe 33. During the wringing operation, when a vacuum is being created in the enclosure III, the solenoid valve 6| is closed by the timer. After the wringing operation, the timer opens the valve 6|, which then allows atmospheric air to enter the pipe 62 and flow past the check valve 60 into the enclosure I0 to cause the bag I9 to move from the semi-sphere I5 into the semisphere I8.

In the modification shown in Figure 2, the corresponding parts have been numbered with the same numbers; but with 100 added, these parts are intended to have identical construction and operation with Figure 1, insofar as it is possible to have them so constructed and operated. The water supply H2 in this case is connected to the intake I42 of the pump I40 through the medium of separator I38. The water from supply II2 flows through the well I43 and pipe I44 into the separator I38 and from thence to the pipe I H into the pump I40. Otherwise the operation of various parts in Figure 2 and their construction may be substantially identical with those of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows the construction of the separator I 38; but it may also be taken as representative of the separator 38, in which case the pipe I44. and its opening are omitted.

In the operation of the machine shown in Figure 1, the covers 20 and 23 are opened, and clothes and suitable detergent are introduced into the enclosure I0. Thereafter the covers are closed, and the timer 55 is set by the knob 56 to the start position, which causes the supply valve I2 to be opened, the motor 48 to be energized and the valve 45 to be closed or throttled. This causes water to flow from valve I2 to well 43, pipe 44 into pump 40, from thence it is discharged into the jet pump 32, and is caused to back up by the closed valve 45 into the pipe 33, 34, 35, 36 and into the opening 25 and past the perforated false bottom 21 into the enclosure I0. As the sphere is being rotated by the motor 48 at this time the clothes, detergent and water are tumbled in the enclosure III to wash the clothes. After a suitable length of time, the valve I2 is closed. The length of time is such as to introduce the proper amount of water in the enclosure I0. Thereafter the clothes are tumbled during a suitable washing period of time. Thereafter the valve 45 is opened by the timer 55, thus imposing a suction action in the opening 25, to withdraw water and air from the enclosure eventually to collapse the bag I9 into the semi-sphere I5 to wring the clothes. As the opening 25 continues to rotate down to its lowest position 25', all free-running water is removed from the enclosure and clothes during the wringing operation. After the wringing operation has been completed, the timer 55 repeats the filling, tumbling and vacuum proawe-coo ducin'g operations one or more times to rinse the clothes.

After each wringing operation the vacuum in enclosure W is broken by admitting air thereto. In Figure 1 this is accomplished by stopping motor 48 and allowing valve 45 to rernaf: open. Air then finds its Way into enclosure it from well 43 and drain hose t3, the air bubbling through the water in the pumping system H l. Any water which otherwise might be swept into enclosure I l] is trapped in receiver -3l.

I -he clothes may be removed after the final wringing operation and after the vacuum has been broken,

If Figure 1 is modified by the addition of the vacuum breaker shown in Figure i, the timer stops motor 4t and opens valve ti after ea 11 wringing operation a suiiicierrt length of time to allow air to enter enclosure it and to cause 1 9' tomove from 5 to -I 8. With this modification the receiver 3"! maybe omitted as there is no danger of water entering the space while the vacuum is being broken. The check valve so sures during the filling-operation, no Water will flow into pipe 6-2 and out valve iii. valve 6 is adapted to be closed at all times 63* bept while the vacuum being broken The operation of the modifica on shown in Figure 2 is identical with that of ure 1, t described, except that the Water om supply valve HZ-first flows into-separator ital and thence into pump Hi0, instead-oi, as in Figure l, ilo'wi directly into pump 40.

The pump Mil is'of suiificient capaeitv to withdraw all water from separator E38 will 'troduccd by valve H2, and thus preve water from being discharged through d1 ain H3.

The parts of the pumping systems it and ill have been shown relatively larger than they need be, in order to show greater detail. in actzo construction they should be made as possible to preven't'them from retaining quantities of water. The separators Ell should be large enough to retain only the amount of liquid necessaryfor the operation of the jetpump.

'While the former? embodiment of the iirenti'cn as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might'be adopted, as may come within the oi the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. 111 combination an enclosure to be filled with and emptied of water; a jet pump having a low pressure jet chamber connected to said enclosure; a mechanical pump discharging into said jet pump; a liquid and gas separator connected to the discharge of said jet pump and intake of said mechanical pump to form a working hid recirculating cycle; a valve controlling the flow between said jet pump and separator selectively to'fill or empty said enclosure conduit means connecting the interior of said enclosure with the atmosphere outside said enclosure to admit airy and a vacuum breaker valve'for completely closing said conduit means.

2. In a Washing and extracting machine, an enclosed clothes washing container having a flexiblewall portion-o1" large area and a clothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be washed, a fluid connection adapted to connect to that lowermostportion of the clothes washing chamber or said container opposite the flexible wall portion, a valved vent for connecting with The i T6 the upper portion of the clothes washing char 'ber of the container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet pump having a nozzle-and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said, discharge outlet, a mechanical pump having its outlet conric'cte'd to the nozzle of said jet ump and its inlet connected to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extendingfrom said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, said names; nection bein'gconnected to said snoti'onchamber of said jet jump, means for ieed-ing a, liquid to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit, a discharge conduit extending from tlre on or separating container, means -i-ng the connection between the di charge outlet and said separating container for pumping liquid from said loop 01 edit into s enclosed chamber having the tie ible wall portion and for opening said connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container to evacuate said enclosed. clothes washing c ntainer to cause the flexible wall portion to colr, and reduce the volume of the clothes wa a.

chamber of this enclosed clothes was s container to a minimum, "means for agitating the clothes 'auid in said clothes washing cham-- ber.

In a washing and extracting machine, an enclosed clothes washing container having a fleaibie wall portion oi large area and aclothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be Washed, a fluid connection adapted to connect to that lowermost portion of the clothes washing chamber of Saidccntainer opposite the flexible wall portion, a valved vent for connecting with the upper portion of the clothes washing chamber of the container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet jump having a nozzle and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said discharge outlet, a mechanical pump having outlet connected to the nozzle of said jet pump and its inlet connected to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extending from said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, said fluid connection being connected to said suction chamber of said jet pump, means for feeding a liquid to the low pressure portion of saidloop circuit, a discharge'conduit extending from the upper portion of said separating container, means for throttling the connection between thedischarge outletand said separating container .for pumping liquid from said loop circuit into said enclosed chamberhaving the flexible wall portion'and for opening said connection between the discharge :outlet and said separating container to evacuate said "enclosed clothes washing container to cause the flexible wall portion to collapse and reduce the volume of the'clothes washing chamber of this enclosed clothes washing container to a'minimum, means for agitating the clothes andliquid in said clothes Washing chamber, and means for releasing the vacuum in saidcontainer.

4. In a washing and extracting .rmachine, an enclosed clothes washing container having a flex-- ible wall portion of large area and a clothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be washed, a fluid connection adapted to connect to that lowermost portion of the clothes washing chamber of said container opposite the flexible wall portion, a valved vent for connecting with the upper portion of the clothes washing chamber of the container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet pump having a nozzle and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said discharge outlet, a mechanical pump having its outlet connected to the nozzle of said jet pump and its inlet connected to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extending from said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, said fluid connection being connected to said suction chamber of said jet pump, means for feeding a liquid to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit, a discharge conduit extending from the upper portion of said separating container, means for throttling the connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container for pumping liquid from said loop circuit into said enclosed chamber having the flexible wall portion and for opening said connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container to evacuate said enclosed clothes washing container to cause the flexible wall portion to collapse and reduce the volume of the clothes washing chamber of this enclosed clothes washing container to a minimum, means for agitating the clothes and liquid in said clothes washing chamber, said means for feeding a liquid including an open well having an outlet connected to the low pressure portion of said loop tainer having a flexible wall portion of large area and a clothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be washed, a fluid connection connecting with the lower portion of the clothes washing chamber of said container, a valved vent for the clothes washing chamber of said container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet pump having a nozzle and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber connecting into said fluid connection, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said discharge outlet, a mechanical pump having its outlet connected to the nozzle of said jet pump and its inlet connecting to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extending from said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, an overflow discharge conduit extending from the upper portion of said separating container, means for feeding a liquid to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit, a common driving means for rotating said clothes washing container to agitate any liquid and clothes therein and for simultaneously driving said mechanical pump, means for throttling the connection between said discharge outlet and said separating container for pumping liquid from said loop circuit through said fluid connection into said clothes washing container while said clothes washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates to apply liquid to the clothes and for opening the connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container to evacuate said clothes washing container to cause the flexible wall portion to collapse and contract the clothes washing container to assist in the evacuation of liquid while said clothes washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates.

6. In a washing and extracting machine, a. rotatably mounted enclosed clothes washing container having a flexible wall portion of large area and a clothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be washed, a fluid connection connecting with the lower portion of the clothes washing chamber of said container, a valved vent for the clothes washing chamber of said container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet pump having a nozzle and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber connecting into said fluid connection, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said discharge outlet, a mechanical pump having its outlet connected to the nozzle of said jet pump and its inlet connecting to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extending from said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, an overflow discharge conduit extending from the upper portion of said separating container, means for feeding a liquid to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit, a common driving means for rotating said clothes washing container to agitate any liquid and clothes therein and for simultaneously driving said mechanical pump, means for throttling the connection between said discharge outlet and said separating container for pumping liquid from said loop circuit through said fluid connection into said clothes washing container while said clothes washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates to apply liquid to the clothes and for opening the connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container to evacuate said clothes washing container to cause the flexible wall portion to collapse and contract the clothes washing container to assist in the evacuation of liquid while said clothes washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates, and means for releasing the vacuum in said clothes washing container.

'1'. In a washing and extracting machine, a rotatably mounted enclosed clothes Washing container having a flexible wall portion of large area and a clothes washing chamber for receiving the clothes to be washed, a fluid connection connecting with the lower portion of the clothes washing chamber of said container, a valved vent for the clothes washing chamber of said container to control the venting of said chamber, a jet pump having a nozzle and a discharge outlet and a suction chamber connecting into said fluid connection, a closed separating container for separating gas from liquid having its inlet connected to said discharge outlet, 9, mechanical pump having its outlet connected to the nozzle of said jet pump and its inlet connecting to the separating container, said connections of said jet and mechanical pumps and said separating container forming a loop circuit having a low pressure portion extending from said suction chamber through said separating container to the inlet of said mechanical pump, an overflow discharge conduit extending from the upper portion of said separating container, means for feeding a liquid to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit, a common driving means for rotating said clothes washing container to agitate any liquid and clothes therein and for simultaneously driving said mechanical pump, means for throttling the connection between said discharge outlet and said separating container for pumping liquid from said loop circuit through said fluid connection into said clothes washing container while said clothes Washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates to apply liquid to the clothes and for opening the connection between the discharge outlet and said separating container to evacuate said clothes washing container to cause the flexible wall portion to collapse and contract the clothes washing container to assist in the evacuation of liquid while said clothes washing container rotates and the mechanical pump operates said means for feeding a liquid including an open well having 10 an outlet connected to the low pressure portion of said loop circuit for feeding liquid to said circuit, said well extending up above the lowermost portion of said clothes washing container.

CAREL F. ABRESCH.

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